Collapsible sign-box.



'W. V. D. KELLEY.

GOLLAPSIBLE SIGN BOX. APPLICATION FILED 13110.30, 1908.

Patented Apr. 22, 1913.

ixwwz 12 wmm WILLIAM V. D. KELLEY, OF NEWARK, NEW JERSEY. I

ooLnAPsIBLn SIGN-BOX.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 22, 1913.;

Application filed December 80, 1908. Serial No. 469,851.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it knownthat I, WiLLIAi: V. D. K n.- nor, a citizen of the United States, residing at Newark, in the county of Essex and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Collapsible Sign-Boxes, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact specification.

This invention relates to collapsible sign boxes, and moreparticularly has reference to a sign box adapted to contain a lamp and having one side of the box formed as .a transparency to be illuminated from within. In sign boxes. of this character it desirable that the amount of space required for packing and shipping the box be as small as possible, at the same time it should be so constructed as to be easily set up and knocked down by the user in case he dosires to move it or store it away.

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the back of a sign box embodyingthe invention;

Fig. 2 is a view of the transparency or frame forming the front; Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a different position; Fig. 1 is a view of the top; Fig. 5 is a view of the back; Fig.

6 is a'view of the bottom; Fig. 7 is a detall iZhowing the manner of joining the sides and ask.

1 represents a frame adapted to carrya transparency 2 which is to be illuminated from within the box.

3 represents a top section having the upwardly turned flange 4 adapted to fit alon one side of the transparency frame 1 ant having the inwardly turned channels 5 on the sides opposite the flange 4.

6 represents a bottom plate having similar flanges or channels 4 and 5 and carrying a lamp socket 7 controlled by a thermostatic switch 8, the switch being fastened tot-he bot-tom member 6 and also the lamp socket 7.

9 is a supply wire which is adapted to be connected to-a suitable source of current supply. The'switch and lamp socket are so arranged that when the current is on the thermostatic switch heats to close the circuit and turn on the light whereupon it cools again to open the clrcuit automatically, thereby alternately flashing and dimming the lamp and thereby calling attention to the sign or advertisement carried by the transparency 2. The back of the sign box is composed of two plates 10, 11 which may be hinged together as at 12. The hinge can be separated by withdrawing the pintle, orsome other form of separable joint between the members 11 and 12, may be used in case it is desired to separate these two members. Ordinarily the hinge allows them to be folded up on each other substantially flat. The topand bottom of the members 11 and12 are provided \Vltll outwardly turned flanges. 14.- .which flanges engage under the channels .5 carried by the top and bottom plates 3 and 6 respectively. The opposite ends of the members 10 and 11 are provided with wings or flat flanges 17 having slots 18 which engage under the head of screws 19 carried on the rear of the frame 1, and the top and bottom members 3 and 6 are respectively provided with hooks 20 which engage eyes 21 carried by the rear of the frame 1. In order to assemble the parts, the flanges 14 on the back parts 10 and 11 are inserted under the channels 5 of the top and bottom members 3 and 6 respectively and at the same time the wings 17 are inserted under. the screws 19 through the slots 18, or other suitable clamp carried by the back of the frame 1 for engaging and holding down the members 10 and 11. It will be seen that the overhanging channels 5 prevent the members 10 and 11 from shutting up after the flanges 14: are once inserted in the channels 5, and the screws 19 prevent the members 10 and 11-- from flattening out. When the hooks 20 are engaged with the eyes 21 it will be seen that the whole box is connected together so as to prevent it from collapsing because the top P0 and bottom members 3 having the channelfi cannot disengage themselves from the flanges 14 carried by the members 10 and 11. These engaging parts may, to a certain extent, be reversed as will be obvious from an inspection of the description and drawings, though the arrangement as described is considered preferable and permits a more convenient assembly of the parts.

From the foregoing description, it will be seen that the device can be collapsed simply by releasing the hooks 20 thereby permittln all of the parts to be separatedand packe flat with the frame 1. It will be understood that the hooks and eyes are so proportioned and positioned that when the hooks are on gaged with the eyes a certain amount of tension is exerted upon the whole structure thereby holding the parts rigid in relationto; each other and preventing loosening and play between the parts. 9

Modifications and changes within the secure byLetters Patent, is,

limits of the appended claims may be made in the specific construction herein illustrated and described Without departing from the scope of the invention.

' Having thus described my invention I .declare that what I claim as new and desire to A collapsible sign box for alaln comprising a front transparency frame having stops respectively adjacent opposite ends of its rear face, a back comprising two rela ytively movable sections, said sections eachhavin an end engagingthe stop at either indie .isa d frame, respectively, whereby the spreading of the back is prevented, and

having oppositely disposed turned edges,

end ,plates'having eoiiperating turned edges to engage said turned edges of the back sections, and fastenings connecting the end plates and the front franl'e, cooperating with said end stopsto hold the back sectiohs and I end plates rigidly to the front'frame.

In testimony whereof I aifix my signature, in presence of 

